The Digital Fix: Music

New Birmingham venue opens its doors

After a long wait, Birmingham has finally opened its doors to a new venue in Digbeth, the heart of the city's music scene. The swanky new hmvinstitute opened its doors to Brummies last weekend (September 18) following a long-term, multi-million pound refurbishment. And, besides the return of some iconic club nights much-missed since previous venue the Sanctuary shut its doors in early 2009, the hmvinstitute can announce a cracking lineup of musical talent over the next couple of months that will undoubtedly see it talked up as the primary go-to gig hotspot in the city.

On Saturday 25 September (that's this Sat, for those keeping count!), a Grand Opening party will see local heroes Ned's Atomic Dustbin and Fyfe Dangerfield launch the new venue in an official capacity. This opening party is just the beginning though, with an onslaught of international musical talent due to stop off at the hmvinstitute very soon, with UK golden boy Mark Ronson and his Business International one of the first big-hitters to appear on September 28.

Bookings and enquiries can be made online at www.hmvinstitute.com; from the venue box office or at the HMV store, 38 High Street, Birmingham.

The hmvinstitute’s main auditorium will have a 1500 capacity (standing main floor with seated balconies), which will be complemented by the smaller The Library which holds up to 600 people. There are also two further rooms – The Temple and The Congregation (formerly The Dragon Bar), each with a 300 capacity, as well as a VIP bar area.

The venue in Digbeth has played an important role in Birmingham’s rich musical heritage – famously hosting memorable performances by Joni Mitchell, Deep Purple, Pink Floyd and The Moody Blues in the Sixties and Seventies, and by the likes of Killing Joke, The Human League and The Cure in more recent decades, when the venue also came into its own during the Punk and New Wave movements. In the Nineties, when Dance culture was at its peak, the venue was home to the original Godskitchen.

So, what are you waiting for? Get on your dancing shoes and get down to Digbeth to take part in the next chapter of this venue's longstanding musical history. We'll see you down at the front...

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